Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 96978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
“Everything okay?” Rachel calls after us as we take the stairs, and I’m too numb, or maybe too tired, to say anything. I mean, this is not just something I can scream out. “Courtney? Honey, what’s happened?”
Her voice floats away as I hesitate at my closed doors. I love my house, it’s been my safe haven, and for this to happen…
“I can’t go in there.” I swallow, my heart pounding as fear floods me as I reach for him.
“Goddamn it,” Ammo hisses and suddenly I’m in his arms.
“Breathe, Courtney, I’ve got you, no one’s going to hurt you.” His voice is strong and sure, much like his heart that’s beating in my ear. So I focus on that.
Strong.
Sure.
Powerful.
“That’s a good girl.” I hold onto his t-shirt so tight I think my nails might have ripped a hole on one side as I listen to the steady beat.
“Court, let’s pack a bag for you, but I’m going to need your help, babe.” He says all of this as he caresses my hair, centering me.
“I hate being like this,” I breathe out. “I’m sorry.” And suddenly the tears that I’ve been holding inside take over. I feel the wetness, taste the slight saltiness as I let them out, and still he holds me.
“Shhh, I got you. Just be with me, that’s all you need to do.”
His lips are on my forehead as I look up at him.
And the world stops.
Everything is quiet as I stare into his eyes, and suddenly I can breathe. That suffocating feeling is lifted.
“There you are, there’s my baby.” His hands cup my face as his thumbs wipe away my tears.
And I feel his warmth. Let it sink into me, loving the way his fingers are rough from years of playing the guitar, but seem to caress me. The way his fresh scent of spice and maybe even a hint of smoke seems to calm me.
Marshall Adams is a beautiful addiction; and tonight, I submit.
“Let’s get your stuff.” His lips brush mine as I lean into him. At the end of the day, none of this is real.
Fame, beauty, money, it’s all fleeting, something that looks shiny and perfect, but up close is rather ugly and fickle.
“Yes.” I nod as my hands let go of his tee and step back, and he takes my hand and opens the doors. Ammo’s body blocks most of my view as I walk around him, going straight to my walk-in for my giant Louis Vuitton bag, and I just start jerking clothes off the hangers, vaguely thinking how Lena, my stylist, would be weeping at my destruction of her perfectly organized closet.
I grab my luggage and roll it over to my shoes and start tossing heels in, then walk straight to my bathroom and basically repeat the same process.
Face crèmes, perfume, makeup, hand lotion, body balms, I’m not even looking, just tossing.
“Ready?” Ammo leans his shoulder against the doorframe, his eyes looking around to make sure I haven’t forgotten anything. I’m sure he’s also thinking about the same thing that I’m trying really hard to block out. But the fact is, someone had a camera in here.
Someone was watching me, watching him…
“Yep.” My voice is strong as my eyes lock with his and he leans down to grab my heavy bag.
“Let’s go, baby.” He holds his other hand out to me, I look down at it, then back up to him.
I take it.
And I don’t look back.
AMMO
“Listen to me, Rafe, I want everything on this Mike Zane. If you can’t handle that, then I’ll get the fucking Disciples involved,” I snarl directly into my phone as I walk through my house dragging a quiet Courtney behind me.
“Careful, Ammo, I’ve already had my fill of bullshit today, starting with Granger’s party and ending with this. Do you think I’m not on it?” Rafe’s voice is calm but curt, which means he’s insulted, but to be honest, I couldn’t care less. I need shit done.
“Go through her entire payroll and the ones she’s fired,” I demand, going straight over to my bar for a bottle of Jack Daniel’s.
“Rafe?” I say because he’s gone silent.
“Yeah, I’m here. So they just found another camera in the kitchen vent.” He sighs, the sound of activity makes me pause.
“What did you just say?”
“You heard me. Pam, get ahold of Courtney’s assistant,” Rafe growls and I close my eyes and breathe deeply because I’m seconds away from losing my shit.
And I don’t lose my shit, or at least it’s rare, but it’s not pleasant when I do. Courtney is already having anxiety issues, and me going off might make things worse.
“What? What now?”
Courtney’s voice makes me open my eyes and look at her as I say, “Check everyone, Rafe, and have someone drop off a couple new phones tomorrow,” I demand and press end, then turn and slam my phone against the wall, watching it shatter and make a dent.